Rising talent Chris Pratt has left CAA to join longtime agents Jason Heyman and Martin Lesak at UTA, followed shortly after by comedy superstar Will Ferrell, TheWrap has exclusively learned.
The moves come hours after TheWrap reported that five CAA agents had left to become partners at UTA, which now boasts Hollywood’s hottest comedy department.
The exits represent a huge blow to CAA, and Pratt’s signing is a major coup for UTA, as his earning potential over the next decade knows no bounds. He can carry action movies, comedies and romantic comedies, and has also flexed his dramatic muscles in films like “Moneyball” and “Zero Dark Thirty.”
“Losing agents you can sustain. But Chris Pratt is on his way to being a big star. That’s someone you don’t want to lose,” a veteran industry insider told TheWrap. Indeed, Pratt is the rare star who women love and men want to be.
Pratt starred in Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” and is set to reprise his role as Star-Lord in the upcoming sequel, though those deals were brokered by CAA. He also stars in Universal’s summer tentpole “Jurassic World.”
Additionally, the “Parks and Recreation” alum has been tipped for the lead in Disney’s inevitable “Indiana Jones” reboot, and while that remains speculative at this time, Steven Spielberg is said to be a big fan of the versatile young actor.
Guardians” was the year’s third highest-grossing movie worldwide, while “The Lego Movie” finished in the top five at the domestic box office. Pratt voiced the lead character in the animated film.
Pratt is gearing up to shoot Antoine Fuqua‘s “The Magnificent Seven” with Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke, and he’s also attached to star in Universal’s “Cowboy Ninja Viking” and Sony’s “Passengers.”
Pratt’s wife, “Mom” star Anna Faris, remains represented by CAA, so it’ll be interesting to see if she moves with her husband to UTA. At CAA, her team includes Chelsea McKinnies, one of six agents who are rumored to be joining UTA, though her potential exit remains unconfirmed at this time.
Pratt will continue to be managed by Jimmy Miller and Julie Darmody at Mosaic. Ferrell will also continue to be managed by Mosaic.